Maroondah City Council, in Melbourne’s east, has released a draft Tourism Strategy called Best Kept Secrets to assist the development of a local tourism industry. Chair of the Maroondah Tourism Advisory Board, Councillor Maureen Naylor, said the strategy would provide new opportunities and improve existing tourism assets in the community.
“The encouragement of sustainable development within the local tourism sector can provide a number of positive flow on effects for the natural and built environment,” she said. “It will raise our residents’ awareness of heritage and enhance our natural tourism assets to encourage increased patronage.”
She said the strategy identified key tourism strengths that could be improved and developed, including performance arts and special events.
“The tourism sector is not only a significant employer, but this industry also makes an important contribution to the economic viability of several related sectors within the municipality. We will now undertake a more strategic approach to developing and enhancing tourism potential within the City.”
The strategy includes an action plan for 2003-2006. It identifies various areas for Council to develop and promote, including accommodation and industry; arts and cultural tourism; heritage sites; restaurants and entertainment; local tourism attractions; events and festivals; the retail sector; parks, reserves and the environment; sport; and the City as a tourism destination.
The tourism strategy complements Maroondah 2025 — A Shared Future, which states that: “Maroondah will be a vibrant City. It will have an active community, a strong local economy and a diverse cultural life in a prosperous and sustainable environment”.
Councillor Naylor said the Tourism Strategy was based on advice from the Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board, key directions in Maroondah 2025, and input from Council officers, industry leaders and the community.
“The involvement of the community has been vital in the initial stages of developing this strategy,” she said.
Further information on the web visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au
